Helicobacter pylori infection among non-Native educators in Alaska.

OBJECTIVES

To determine seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in non-Native educators residing in urban or rural settings in Alaska, and to determine potential risk factors associated with infection in this population.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey of non-Native educators residing in urban or rural settings in Alaska.

METHODS

Participants completed a questionnaire detailing aspects of residential life; H. pylori antibody status was determined by a commercial assay.

RESULTS

Of the 203 non-Native participants, 49 (24%) had antibody to H. pylori. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the mean age of seropositive participants was higher than of seronegatives (48 vs. 42 years, respectively, p = .001). In addition, participants who had experienced childhood crowding were more likely to test seropositive for H. pylori (p = .058). On multivariate analysis, only age > or = 40 was associated with infection. No difference in median hemoglobin or ferritin levels were noted among seropositive and seronegative participants. There was no increased risk of seropositivity among participants who had lived in an Alaska Native village or in a developing country for > or = 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, 24% of non-Native educators residing in rural Alaska tested positive by serology for H. pylori. Age > or = 40 years was associated with infection. Median hemoglobin or ferritin levels did not differ significantly among seropositive and seronegative participants.